Akins 

Record: 1-2

Results: d. Crockett 27-13; l. LBJ 44-20; l. Hutto 49-13

What we know: The Eagles are serious about their new offense. Coach Mike Zierlein dumped his spread attack in the off-season and went to a flexbone attack; the Eagles have rushed for 637 yards and thrown for just 207 yards.

What we don’t: What will happen when Akins plays a Class 5A team? The Eagles haven’t exactly soared against a trio of 4A squads. 

What to expect: Another long season and another last-place finish as the team adjusts to its new offense.

Key game: vs. Bastrop, Oct. 31, Burger 

Akins won’t contend for the 25-5A title, but this contest will determine whether they can contend for a spot above the district cellar.

 

Anderson 

Record: 0-3

Results: l. McCallum 43-42; l. Hays 34-13; l. Georgetown 26-7

What we know: P.J. Henderson appears to be next in a long line of talented RBs. He has 339 yards rushing and four TDs this season.

What we don’t: Can the Trojans slow anyone? Each team they have played has more than 400 yards of offense. 

What to expect: Lots of points but only a pair of district wins.

Key game: vs. Akins, Friday, Burger 

If Anderson has any hopes of stealing the fourth playoff spot, they must defeat Akins – and soundly. 

 

Austin High 

Record: 2-1

Results: d. Harker Heights 33-23;  d. McCallum 23-15; l. Westwood 34-31  

What we know: Emory Blake is a star. The highly recruited WR has 554 yards from scrimmage and seven TDs.

What we don’t: Can the Maroons find a consistent running back? Blake leads the team in rushing, and no Maroon has recorded double-digit carries in a single game. 

What to expect: A third consecutive playoff berth. The Maroons have too much talent to be surpassed by schools such as Anderson or Connally.

Key game: vs. Westlake, House Park, Oct. 31

Austin High has a chance to record third straight win over the Chaps, a possibility almost unimaginable a few years ago.

 

Bastrop

Record: 1-2

Results: d. Hays 34-27; l. San Marcos 27-26; l. Shoemaker 36-15

What we know: Under new coach Gerald Perry, Bastrop has balance on offense. The Bears average 165 yards passing and 109 yards rushing per game.

What we don’t: Who will be the QB? Veteran Matt Homesley has played well, but talented soph Josiah Monroe went 8-for-15 with 86 yards and a TD in Bastrop’ s last game. 

What to expect: A fifth-place finish and plenty of optimism entering 2009.

Key game: at Connally, Oct. 3

Bastrop has a chance to establish district pecking order against 5A newcomer. 

 

Bowie

Record: 2-1

Results: l. Vista Ridge 30-28; d. Round Rock 38-21; d. Hays 56-14. 

What we know: These Dawgs have a lot of bite on offense with an average of 439 yards and 40.7 points per game.

What we don’t: Was the loss to 5A neophyte Vista Ridge an abberation? The Timberwolves had three scoring plays of at least 20 yards while keeping pace with the high-scoring Bulldogs. 

What to expect: A Thursday-night showdown  for the district championship when the Dawgs meet Pflugerville.

Key game: vs. Pflugerville, Oct. 30, Burger

The district’s best offense in Bowie faces the most formidable defense with a district title likely on the line.

 

Pflugerville Connally 

Record: 0-3

Results: l. Stony Point 33-17; l. Vista Ridge 47-22; l. Killeen 18-7

What we know: The adjustment to 5A has been tougher than the Cougars expected. A perennial 4A playoff team, Connally has struggled to find consistency on either side of the ball.

What we don’t: Can the Cougars run the ball? They haven’t had a running back top 50 yards this season. 

What to expect: The first losing season in the program’s 12-year history.

Key game: vs. Anderson, Oct. 31

This next-to-last game of the season could provide a clue whether the Cougars enter 2009 as an up-and-comer or a 5A also-ran.

 

Pflugerville 

Record: 2-1

Results: l. Leander 24-17; d. Converse Judson 21-10; d. Round Rock 33-20

What we know: These Panthers are tough. They travelled to state-ranked Judson and clawed out the most impressive nondistrict win in 25-5A.

What we don’t: Can Pflugerville throw the ball? The Panthers have completed just seven passes all season. 

What to expect: A handful of 17-10 wins. No defense in the area surpasses Pflugerville, and that D will carry the Panthers into the postseason.

Key game: at Westlake, Oct. 3

This rugged road trip will determine if the Panthers are the top contender for Bowie’s district title.

 

Westlake 

Record: 0-3

Results: l. Cedar Park 31-21; l. Lake Travis 38-21; l. A&M Consolidated 44-23

What we know: The Chaps haven’t been able to stop anyone. They have allowed an average of 449 yards and 37.7 points in their worst start to a season in a generation.

What we don’t: Can the Chaps handle such a start? Westlake hasn’t lost its first three games since 1970, but the team can’t afford to let that affect its start to district: the Chaps open with Bowie and 2007 state finalist Pflugerville. 

What to expect: The district’s second DI seed and a playoff matchup against either San Antonio’s Roosevelt or Madison.

Key game: vs. Bowie, Burger, Friday

A shot at district redemption begins with a district-opening contest against the defending 25-5A champion.